Teens recovering after fingers lost in tug-of-war

LOS ANGELES — A simple length of rope tore off the fingers of two teenagers during a schoolyard tug-of-war staged to boost campus spirit.

The boy and girl had stable vital signs Tuesday after undergoing hours of surgery, but no information was disclosed on whether doctors reattached their fingers.

A get-well banner hung at the South El Monte High School campus, and counselors consoled students after the horrific start Monday to the traditional Spirit Week celebrating homecoming.

Schools have conducted such games for years, El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Nick J. Salerno said.

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“I’ve never heard of anything like this happening,” he said. “It’s unbelievable to me, it’s shocking.”

Officials will review all planned Spirit Week activities “that could even possibly have a risk of going wrong,” Salerno said.

The district also plans to review policies to see if any need to be changed regarding tug-of-war games.

The teens lost four fingers each from their right hand, and the girl also lost the thumb on her left hand, Eddie Pickett, a supervising dispatcher with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, told NBC News.

However, sheriff’s Sgt. Jorge Marchena told The Associated Press the girl lost three fingers on one hand and two on another, while the boy lost four fingers from one hand.